computer turns on but that's about it

[utdarktroll]

I have just finished putting a new computer system. Here are the specs:

Pentium III 1 GHz 133FSB FC/PGA
Abit SA6R Motherboard
Asus A7700 Geforce2 GTS
Sound Blaster Digital player 5.1
256MB 133MHz RAM
Plextor 16/10/40 CD writer
Generic 32X CD-ROM
Generic 3.5" floppy drive
IBM 30GB 7200 RPM hard drive

I connected everything and turned the power on. The computer powered on but it made no sounds. Nothing appeared on the monitor and the floppy drive light and the light on the plextor turn on and stay on. Neither CD drive will open. The light on the motherboard lights up and the chip fan turns on. All of the lights on the outside of the case including the hard drive light. I have disconnected and reconnected the power and IDE cables numerous times and only possible problem that I have thought of is that the hard drive is bad since I cannot feel it vibrate in my hand. However, I don't know how much it should vibrate normally so I am not sure if there is something wrong with the hard drive or not. However, even with no hard drive, shouldn't the BIOS at least send some sort of signal to the monitor before detected the presence of the hard drive? All other equipment seems to be fine and I have followed all of the guidelines of the Abit instruction booklet.

Thanks for all your help

 

[bacillus]

well the first thing you should try is to reseat your cpu, ram & videocard plus double check all connections & try powering up again!

 

[DARRIN]

I had a similar problem. Turned out to be a bad modem. Remove all your card except the video card and try it. If it still doesn't work. Try a different video card if you have one.

 

[SiliconVandal]

I had the same problem. No beeps or nothing? I'd take your motherboard out and check too see if anything is shorting it out. I had left one of the screw in things on my friends Enlight 7237 when I made it for him, and it was the cause of the problems.

 

[przero]

See if it beeps with no cards installed.

 

[utdarktroll]

Thanks for all your help. I disconnected every part except for the motherboard, cpu, and RAM. I connected the monitor the built in graphics card but still the same thing happened. I tried a different RAM stick and nothing changed. The computer would turn on but nothing would be displayed on the screen. In addition, the computer speaker would not make any noises. Thus, I'm not sure what is wrong but I suspect the motherboard. What are some tell tale signs that the motherboard doesn't work even though the computer can be turned on and the CPU fan goes on?

Thanks for the help

 

[gcy]

if you have an agp video card make sure it is all the way in. there two rows of contact on the card, one above the other. see if the bottom edge of the card is flush with top of the slot.

 

[Dulanic]

Take the MB out of the case... Ive had this problem before and in my case it was because the MB was shorting out to the MB tray.

 

[doubledc]

when Ive had motherboard problems (didnt use paper washers) I got no power at all or no power to the cpu fan so the seated video card sounds like the possible problem

 

[bacillus]

try shorting the cmos jumpers or temporarily removing the m/board battery to reset the cmos to factory default! worth a shot.

 

[przero]

Did you get the message on the monitor screen "No signal Check Cable" ?

 

[utdarktroll]

The motherboard that I am using has built in sound and video cards. When I turn the power on, all of the fans turn on but no signal is sent to the monitor. Once I turn on the monitor, it sits for a second then enters sleep mode because it is not receiving a signal. I think something is wrong with the motherboard and I am going to try another one to see if that solves the problem. Thanks for the help and suggestions

 

[spamboy]

Make sure your CPU memory and video card are in all the way. Any of those being slightly out of their sockets could cause your problem.

 

[SiliconVandal]

<< Take the MB out of the case... Ive had this problem before and in my case it was because the MB was shorting out to the MB tray. >>

Didn't I just say that? OMG... No speaker beep = shorted mobo.

 

[SiliconVandal]

<< Make sure your CPU memory and video card are in all the way. Any of those being slightly out of their sockets could cause your problem. >>

In that case, it would beep!